# Willamette Valley: pinot noir hills and Silver Falls

> 3-day road trip of about 273 km (170 mi) with 7 stops, from Portland to Eugene. About 3 h 02 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b17-willamette-valley/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 273 km (170 mi) with 7 stops, from Portland to Eugene. About 3 h 02 min of driving in total. South from Portland through wine country and pioneer history to a hilltop abbey and the ten waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 273 km (170 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 02 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Portland → Eugene |
| States | OR |
| Updated | May 27, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Portland south on I-5 and take the exit for Champoeg State Heritage Area on the Willamette River, about 40 minutes away. In 1843 settlers voted here to form a provisional government for Oregon; the visitor center and pioneer buildings tell the story, and paved paths run along the river. The park campground has spaces for motorhomes.

From Champoeg, drive west through Newberg to the Dundee Hills, the red-soil hills above OR-99W that are the heart of Oregon’s pinot noir country. Tasting rooms dot the lanes, many requiring reservations; the roads are narrow and steep in places. If you are tasting, choose a driver. From Dayton, cross to Salem, Oregon’s capital, about 40 minutes.

East of Salem, OR-213 and OR-214 lead to Mount Angel, a Bavarian-style town whose Benedictine abbey stands on a hill above the valley. The Aalto library and the church are open to visitors, and the views stretch to Mount Hood. Continue through Silverton on OR-214 to Silver Falls State Park, about 45 minutes from Salem.

The Trail of Ten Falls is a loop of about 7 miles that passes behind South Falls and several others; shorter sections start from the South Falls and North Falls lots. There is a day-use fee and a large campground. From the park, return west to I-5 and drive south to Eugene, about an hour and a half, or spend a second night in the valley.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Portland** (OR)
2. **Champoeg State Heritage Area** (St. Paul, OR): Riverside meadows on the Willamette where settlers voted in 1843 to form a provisional government. A visitor center, a pioneer house and cycling paths fill the park; there is a campground and a day-use fee.
3. **Dundee Hills** (Dundee, OR): Red-soil hills above OR-99W at the heart of Oregon’s pinot noir country, covered in vineyards and tasting rooms. The lanes are narrow and steep in places; weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends.
4. **Salem** (OR)
5. **Mount Angel Abbey** (Mount Angel, OR): A Benedictine monastery on a hilltop above the Willamette Valley, with a church, a library designed by Alvar Aalto and views to the Cascades. Visitors are welcome in the grounds; please keep quiet.
6. **Silver Falls State Park** (Silverton, OR): Oregon’s largest state park, where the Trail of Ten Falls loop passes behind several waterfalls, including 177-foot South Falls. The full loop is about 7 miles; there is a day-use fee and a large campground.
7. **Eugene** (OR)

## FAQs

**How long is Willamette Valley: pinot noir hills and Silver Falls?**
3-day road trip of about 273 km (170 mi) with 7 stops, from Portland to Eugene. About 3 h 02 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Willamette Valley: pinot noir hills and Silver Falls?**
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 02 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Willamette Valley: pinot noir hills and Silver Falls start and end?**
It starts in Portland and ends in Eugene.

**Which states does Willamette Valley: pinot noir hills and Silver Falls pass through?**
Oregon.